Dual Degree Programs

The School of Public Health offers three dual degree programs: MSN/MPH in Health Management & Policy offered through the School of Public Health and the University of Texas at Arlington School of Nursing; MS in Applied Anthropology/MPH offered through the School of Public Health and the University of North Texas Department of Anthropology and the DO/MPH offered through the School of Public Health and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The applicants in these programs are evaluated and admitted separately to each school and must meet all requirements for each degree separately. Admission to one program does not assure admission to the other. Students completing a dual degree program receive diplomas and transcripts from each of the participating schools. Thus, they are not joint degree programs where one diploma lists both schools, but rather dual degree programs.

In each of the following programs, students must complete the curriculum plan as defined for the specific dual degree, which includes courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health management and policy and behavioral and community health. Additional information about required curriculum is located on the School of Public Health website. With the use of transfer credit and dual credit, students are required to complete 48 semester credit hours, which includes 3 SCH of practice experience and 6 SCH of a culminating experience (thesis or comprehensive examination/2 additional electives).

The School of Public Health admits dual degree students during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The admission priority deadlines are as follows:

It is recommended that non-U.S. citizens apply well in advance of these deadlines to allow for the preparation of immigration documents.

Applicants to the dual degree programs will fall under one of the following admissions categories:

Full Admission: Accepted without reservation to the dual degree program.

Denied: Not admitted to the program because application was not competitive.

Non-review: Not reviewed due to an incomplete application file.

Provisional Admissions: In rare instances, the SPH may admit a student on a provisional basis where one of the credentials is below the average of the applicant pool, providing that all other admission criteria are met or exceeded. This admittance requires the approval of the Master's Admission Committee. Upon successful completion of the provisional requirements, the student may be granted full admission into the School.

Dual Degree Admission Requirements for MPH/MSN Applicants

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

Submit an application to SOPHAS (School of Public Health Application Service) at www.sophas.org.

Students in the MSN program must apply to the MPH program prior to the completion of 24 SCH in the MSN program. Conversely, students in the MPH program must apply to the MSN program prior to the completion of 24 SCH in the MPH program.

Submit complete, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.

Submit official scores from one of the following graduate admissions examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or Pharmacy School Admissions Test (PCAT). The examination requirement is waived for applicants possessing a professional doctoral degree with a license to practice in the United States.

Applicants with foreign transcripts must also include an official WES or ECE transcript evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalencies.

International applicants must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in oral and written English before being granted admission. Minimum TOEFL exam requirements: written=550; computer-based= 213; internet-based=79. The TOEFL is waived if the applicant has earned a high school diploma or a bachelor or master degree from an accredited institution within the United States or Canada.

Three (3) letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)

Current resume or curriculum vita

If invited for an interview, applicants are expected to participate in either an on-campus interview or a technology-assisted interview. Interviews at the student's request are always welcome.

Once an offer of admissions has been extended to a student, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be re-submitted directly to the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an international applicant, the Health Science Center will not issue immigration papers for student visas until the following documents have been received and approved by the Health Science Center:

Proof of financial resources

Official transcripts from each college or university attended should be re-submitted both in English and the student's native language

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

Submit an application to SOPHAS (School of Public Health Application Service) at www.sophas.org.

New students are encouraged to apply simultaneously to both programs for the fall semester. Application deadlines for Anthropology are Feb. 15th and May 1st. However, a student may decide to apply at any time prior to the18 SCH cut-off (see below).

For students currently enrolled in the MPH or Anthropology program, they have 18 SCH to decide if they would like to complete the dual degree program. If a current MPH student, they must apply to the anthropology program for the fall semester. If a current anthropology student, they can apply to the School of Public Health during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Students are not given dual degree status until they have been successfully admitted to both the MPH and the MS in Applied Anthropology programs.

Submit complete, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.

Submit official scores from one of the following graduate admissions examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or Pharmacy School Admissions Test (PCAT). The examination requirement is waived for applicants possessing a professional doctoral degree with a license to practice in the United States.

Applicants with foreign transcripts must also include an official WES or ECE transcript evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalencies.

International applicants must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in oral and written English before being granted admission. Minimum TOEFL exam requirements: written=550; computer-based= 213; internet-based=79. The TOEFL is waived if the applicant has earned a high school diploma or a bachelor or master degree from an accredited institution within the United States or Canada.

Three (3) letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)

Current resume or curriculum vita

If invited for an interview, applicants are expected to participate in either an on-campus interview or a technology-assisted interview.

Once an offer of admissions has been extended to a student, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended must be re-submitted directly to the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX 76107-2699.

Once an offer of admission has been extended to an international applicant, the Health Science Center will not issue immigration papers for student visas until the following documents have been received and approved by the Health Science Center:

Proof of financial resources

Official transcripts from each college or university attended should be re-submitted both in English and the student's native language.

Overview: Master of Public Health (MPH)/ MS in Applied Anthropology

The School of Public Health and the Department of Anthropology at the University of North Texas at Denton have developed a cooperative agreement that allows students to pursue the Master’s of Public Health and a Master’s of Science in Applied Anthropology. The dual degree program in Public Health and Applied Anthropology offers an opportunity to strengthen collaboration in public health and anthropology research and practice. Medical anthropology is a field that uses anthropological theories as a framework to understand public health issues. Its emphasis on social and cultural influences on health, illness, and healing are central to the shared goals of improving health and social justice to eliminate local and global disparities. This 2 ½ year program prepares students for careers in research, public health, and public policy planning relating to health and health care in the U.S. or in an international setting.

New students are encouraged to apply simultaneously to both programs. Students currently enrolled in only the Public Health program or Anthropology program have 18 credit hours to decide if they would like to enter the dual degree program. Before they have completed 18 credit hours, they may apply to the program in which they are not currently enrolled. If a current Public Health student, they must apply to the Anthropology program for the following fall semester. If a current Anthropology student, they can apply to the Public Health program any semester (fall, spring, or summer). If they are accepted, they must submit new degree plans to both of their programs to ensure that their academic record reflects the dual degree program.

At the end of this program, students will have two degrees – one in public health and one in applied anthropology. The programs share 21 hours and coordinate the culminating experiences that fulfills both degrees.

Students will have a 3-person faculty committee – 2 members from Anthropology and 1 member from Public Health.

Culminating Experience in Public Health Practice (Comprehensive Examination and Practice Experience) – Students will pass the CPH Examination during their Culminating Experience. In BACH 5397, students will complete a Practicum Portfolio, which will include a poster presentation, notebook, and reflection paper.

Culminating Experience in Applied Anthropology (Applied Thesis) – Dual degree students must complete a major independent project. This project is completed through 6 hours of Applied Thesis (in applied anthropology). This project will be decided by the student and the student’s committee, and must be broad enough to incorporate the knowledge and tools acquired in both programs.

Although UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth and UNT Denton are part of the University of North Texas System, they are separate universities. They have separate admissions, separate financial aid offices and different academic calendars. It is important that students let administrative offices know that they are a dual degree student, particularly the financial aid office. Although there is a high level of cooperation between the two programs, students will be enrolled at two universities. They will apply to two universities, submit separate degree plans to two universities, apply for graduation to two universities, and graduate twice.

Suggested Timelines

This program is designed to take 2 ½ years for students taking 4 courses per long semester, plus 1 course each summer. Students are allowed to take fewer classes per semester but should be aware that some classes are only offered once a year or once every two years.

Dual Degree Admission Requirements for MPH/DO Applicants

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

Download an application from the School of Public Health at www.hsc.unt.edu and submit all required admissions materials to the Office of Admission & Academic Services.

Submit a $40 application fee.

Submit complete, official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended

Submit official scores from one of the following graduate admissions examinations: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) or Pharmacy School Admissions Test (PCAT).

Applicants with foreign transcripts must also include an official WES or ECE transcript evaluation report listing course-by-course U.S. grade point equivalencies.

International applicants must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in oral and written English before being granted admission. Minimum TOEFL exam requirements: written=550; computer-based= 213; internet-based=79. The TOEFL is waived if the applicant has earned a high school diploma or a bachelor or master degree from an accredited institution within the United States or Canada.

Three (3) letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages)

Current resume or curriculum vita

If invited for an interview, applicants are expected to participate in either an on-campus interview or a technology-assisted interview. Interviews at the student's request are always welcome.

Applicants that are currently enrolled in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) should submit a letter to the University of North Texas Health Science Center Office of the Registrar granting permission to release copies of official transcripts and MCAT score reports to the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services.

Applicants that are not enrolled in TCOM must request that graduate admissions examination scores and official transcripts from all college or university attended be sent to the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services.

Once an offer of admissions has been extended to an international applicant, the Health Science Center will not issue immigration papers for student visas until the following documents have been received and approved by the Health Science Center:

Proof of financial resources

Official transcripts from each college or university attended should be re-submitted both in English and the student's native language.

Admissions Decisions and Deferments for Dual Degree Applicants

Applicants will be furnished written notification regarding their admission status by the SPH Office of Admission and Academic Services. Statements by other Health Science Center personnel concerning the applicant's admissibility are not valid until confirmed in writing by the Office of Admission and Academic Services.

Students who are admitted to a degree program and plan to enroll are required to submit an Admissions Decision Form along with a non-refundable $200 assurance fee that will be used toward tuition upon arrival. Applicants admitted to a degree program that do not intend to enroll in the semester for which they applied must contact the Office of Admission and Academic Services to request deferment. Deferments must be made in writing and cannot exceed one year from the original acceptance date. There is a non-refundable deferment fee of $300; the deferment fee is due at the time the request is made.

Information submitted in the application materials must be complete and correct. Prospective and current students must notify the proper institution officials regarding any changes in the information provided on their application. Falsification or omission of any information on the application documents will void a student's admission, cancel their enrollment, and/or result in appropriate disciplinary action.

All materials submitted during the application process become the property of the Health Science Center and cannot be returned.

Financial Assistance

To be eligible for scholarships and assistantships offered by the School of Public Health, applicants must complete the admissions application by March 15, 2013.For more information, please contact the Office of Admission and Academic Services 817-735-2401.